Motor-Cycle (album)

Last updated
Motor-Cycle
""Motor-Cycle" LP cover-Lotti Golden.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 1969
Recorded1968, Atlantic Studios, New York City, New York, United States
Genre Rock
Language English
Label Atlantic
Producer Bob Crewe
Lotti Golden chronology
Motor-Cycle
(1969)
Lotti Golden
(1971)

Motor-Cycle is the debut album by singer-songwriter Lotti Golden released on Atlantic Records in 1969. The album is a semiautobiographical account of Golden's immersion in the life of New York's LES and East Village, written in music and lyrics because, according to Golden, "a book is too flat." [1] Motor-Cycle describes the underground world of the late sixties counterculture, "down to the last Seconal capsule." [2]

Contents

Music and lyrics

Musically, Motor-Cycle is a synthesis of stream of consciousness confessional poetry, R&B-infused vocals and a "sometimes satiric mélange of rock, jazz, blues and soul." [3] The album was composed by Golden as a memoir recounting the time she spent in New York's East Village. [4] describing the underground world of the late '60s with lyrics that evoke "a Kerouac novel." [5] Golden's coming of age saga is likely the first rock concept album by a female recording artist. [6] On an album of "restlessly epic roadhouse suites," [7] Golden uses the story-based format, featuring a cast of archetypal characters while playing the part of "emcee" of her own "aberrant cabaret." [7]

Critical reception

Newsweek hailed Golden as a new breed of female troubadour—an artist who not only sings but also writes her own songs: "What is common to them — to Joni Mitchell and Lotti Golden, to Laura Nyro, [and] Melanie... are the personalized songs they write, like voyages of self discovery...startling in the impact of their poetry." [4] Motor-Cycle was listed among the most influential albums of the era by The New York Times music critic Nat Hentoff, [8] who said in 1970, "It's an extraordinary evocation of a life-style... and one girl's plunge into and out of it." [1] Village Voice critic Robert Christgau was less impressed, giving it a "D+" in his consumer guide [9] Motor-Cycle [Atlantic, 1969] "I don't like this myself, but I also don't like Laura Nyro. If you do, you might glance at the lyrics on the back of the jacket."

Motor-Cycle continues to be referenced as a groundbreaking album, as in a 2017 piece in The Guardian referencing the seminal female singer-songwriters of the sixties. [10] Golden's song, from the LP "Get Together (With Yourself)" appeared on the 2022 Hulu TV miniseries and soundtrack, Pam & Tommy. [11]

In a retrospective review, music critic Path of Tiny Mix Tapes said how Motor-Cycle plays like a musical, transporting the listener to the late '60s underground: "Golden gets help on Motor-Cycle from an impeccably arranged Atlantic Records session band... with a flawless, swinging rhythm team. Then, at key moments, the curtain goes up and they've got rows of saxes, trumpets, vibes... and you begin to realize that this is not the same song and dance... it's as if The Velvet Underground recorded for Motown." [7]

Track listing

  1. "Motor-cycle Michael" 8:14
  2. "Gonna Fay's" 8:31
  3. "A Lot Like Lucifer (Celia Said Long Time Loser)" 6:32
  4. "The Space Queens (Silky is Sad)" 7:21
  5. "Who Are Your Friends" 5:52
  6. "Get Together (With Yourself)" 5:36
  7. "You Can Find Him" 5:13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singer-songwriter</span> Musician who writes, composes, and sings their own material

A singer-songwriter is a musician who writes, composes, and performs their own musical material, including lyrics and melodies. In the United States, the category is built on the folk-acoustic tradition with a guitar, although this role has transmuted through different eras of popular music. Traditionally, these musicians would write and sing songs personal to them. Singer-songwriters often provide the sole musical accompaniment to an entire song. The piano is also an instrument of choice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of New York City</span>

The music of New York City is a diverse and important field in the world of music. It has long been a thriving home for popular genres such as jazz, rock, soul music, R&B, funk, and the urban blues, as well as classical and art music. It is the birthplace of hip hop, garage house, boogaloo, doo wop, bebop, punk rock, disco, and new wave. It is also the birthplace of salsa music, born from a fusion of Cuban and Puerto Rican influences that came together in New York's Latino neighborhoods in the 1960s. The city's culture, a melting pot of nations from around the world, has produced vital folk music scenes such as Irish-American music and Jewish klezmer. Beginning with the rise of popular sheet music in the early 20th century, New York's Broadway musical theater, and Tin Pan Alley's songcraft, New York has been a major part of the American music industry.

<i>The Velvet Underground</i> (album) 1969 studio album by the Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground is the third studio album by the American rock band the Velvet Underground. Released in March 1969 by MGM Records, it was their first record with multi-instrumentalist Doug Yule, who replaced previous member John Cale. Recorded in 1968 at TTG Studios in Los Angeles, California, the album's sound—consisting largely of ballads and straightforward rock songs—marked a notable shift in style from the band's previous recordings. Lead vocalist Lou Reed intentionally did this as a result of their abrasive previous studio album White Light/White Heat (1968). Reed wanted other band members to sing on the album; Yule contributed lead vocals to the opening track “Candy Says” and the closing track "After Hours" is sung by drummer Maureen Tucker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Nyro</span> American singer and songwriter (1947–1997)

Laura Nyro was an American songwriter and singer. She achieved critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969), and had commercial success with artists such as Barbra Streisand and the 5th Dimension recording her songs. Wider recognition for her artistry was posthumous, while her contemporaries such as Elton John idolized her. She was praised for her emotive three-octave mezzo-soprano voice.

<i>Ladies of the Canyon</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Joni Mitchell

Ladies of the Canyon is the third studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released on Reprise Records in 1970. It peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard 200, and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. The title makes reference to Laurel Canyon, a center of popular music culture in Los Angeles during the 1960s, where Mitchell lived while she was writing the album. Specifically, Mitchell lived and wrote at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, the house which is the subject of Graham Nash's "Our House". The album includes several of Mitchell's most noted songs, such as "Big Yellow Taxi", "Woodstock" and "The Circle Game".

<i>The Hissing of Summer Lawns</i> 1975 studio album by Joni Mitchell

The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the seventh studio album by the Canadian-American singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in November 1975 on Asylum Records. It continues the jazz-influenced sound of Mitchell's previous album, Court and Spark, with more unconventional and experimental material. It features sampling, synthesizers such as the Moog and ARP, and contributions from acts including the jazz-rock groups the L.A. Express and the Jazz Crusaders and James Taylor, David Crosby, and Graham Nash.

<i>Eli and the Thirteenth Confession</i> 1968 studio album by Laura Nyro

Eli and the Thirteenth Confession is the second album by New York City-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro, released in 1968.

<i>Christmas and the Beads of Sweat</i> 1970 studio album by Laura Nyro

Christmas and the Beads of Sweat is the fourth album by New York-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro. The album was released on the Columbia Records label in November 1970 after Nyro had recorded it in the early summer with producers Felix Cavaliere and Arif Mardin. Whilst Nyro had handed over production reins, she was still in control of the project and co-arranged her compositions.

<i>Gonna Take a Miracle</i> 1971 studio album by Laura Nyro and Labelle

Gonna Take a Miracle is the fifth album by New York City-born singer, songwriter and pianist Laura Nyro, with assistance by vocal trio Labelle. It was released on Columbia Records in November 1971, one year after its predecessor Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. The album is Nyro's only all-covers album, and she interprets mainly 1950s and 1960s soul and R&B standards, using Labelle as a traditional back-up vocal group.

<i>Smile</i> (Laura Nyro album) 1976 studio album by Laura Nyro

Smile is the sixth album by New York singer, songwriter and pianist Laura Nyro. It was released in early 1976, following a four-year hiatus from the music industry during which time she both married and divorced, and lived away from the spotlight. She dedicated the album to her mother.

<i>Mothers Spiritual</i> 1984 studio album by Laura Nyro

Mother's Spiritual is the eighth studio album by New York City-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro and her ninth original album in total, including the 1977 live album Season of Lights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Up on the Roof (song)</span> 1962 single by the Drifters

"Up on the Roof" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and recorded in 1962 by The Drifters. Released late that year, the disc became a major hit in early 1963, reaching number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and number 4 on the U.S. R&B singles chart. In the UK it was a top-ten success for singer Kenny Lynch, whose version was also released in 1962.

<i>Stoney End</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 1971 studio album by Barbra Streisand

Stoney End is the twelfth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand. Released in 1971 and produced by Richard Perry, it was a conscious change in direction for Streisand, having a more upbeat, contemporary pop/rock sound. It included cover versions of several songs by contemporary singer-songwriters, including Laura Nyro, Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoned Soul Picnic (song)</span> 1968 single by The 5th Dimension

"Stoned Soul Picnic" is a 1968 song by Laura Nyro. The best-known version of the song was recorded by the 5th Dimension, and was the first single released from their album of the same title. It was the most successful single from that album, reaching No. 3 on the U.S. Pop chart and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. It became a platinum record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960s in music</span> Music-related events during the 1960s

This article includes an overview of the events and trends in popular music in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotti Golden</span> American singer-songwriter

Lotti Golden is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, poet and artist. Golden is best known for her 1969 debut album Motor-Cycle, on Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">And When I Die</span> 1969 single by Blood, Sweat & Tears

"And When I Die" is a song written by American singer and songwriter Laura Nyro. It was first recorded by the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary in 1966. Nyro released her own version on her debut album More Than a New Discovery in February 1967.

"Eli's Comin'" is a song written and recorded in 1967 by American singer-songwriter and pianist Laura Nyro. The song was first released in 1968 on Nyro's album, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sock It to Me Baby/It's Your Thing</span> 1969 single by Lotti Golden

For Record Store Day, April 16, 2016, the 7" single that followed Golden's 1969 debut, Motor-Cycle was reissued on High Moon Records with the participation of Warner Bros. Records and Rhino Records. The reissue, like the 1969 version, is a mash-up- funk cover of The Isley Brothers', It's Your Thing and "Sock it To Me Baby" written by the album's producer Bob Crewe. "Annabelle With Bells ," on the B-side, is a soulful, girl-group inspired song written by Golden. The reissue contains a picture sleeve with new cover art, a previously unreleased photo of Golden, and remastered audio. "Annabelle With Bells ," did not appear on the 1969 LP due to time constraints in a pre-digital world, and is exclusively available on the single.

Elyse J. Weinberg was a Canadian-American singer-songwriter. In later life she used the name Cori Bishop.

References

  1. 1 2 Hentoff, Nat (July, 1969) "Cosmo Listens to Records". Cosmopolitan, p.74.
  2. David Edwards, Patrice Eyries, and Mike Callahan. "Atlantic Album Discography, Part 5". 8000 Series (1968-1972) SD-8198 to SD- 8305
  3. Barry, Thomas (Sept 9, 1969). "The Salty Socking Soul of Lotti Golden". Look , pp. 76,76,78
  4. 1 2 Saal, Hubert (July 14, 1969). " The Girl's-Letting Go". Newsweek, pp. 68,71.
  5. Otto, Amanda (August 25, 2009). Needle Points, "Who The #@%! Is Lotti Golden" [ permanent dead link ], Gutter Magazine
  6. Baker, Robb, (June 8, 1969). "The Sound" Chicago Tribune p.S2
  7. 1 2 3 PATH ( May 29, 2008). 1969 "Lotti Golden- Motor-Cycle", Delorean, Tiny Mix Tapes
  8. Hentoff, Nat (March 8, 1970). "The Best of Rock: A Personal Discography". Sunday Section: Rock Recordings, The New York Times , p. M3.
  9. Christgau, Robert (1969). "Consumer Guide (1)". The Village Voice . Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  10. Barton, Laura (January 26, 2017). "From Joni Mitchell to Laura Marling: how female troubadours changed music". The Guardian . London. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  11. https://www.nylon.com HULU ENTERTAINMENT “EVERY SONG FEATURED ON HULU'S 'PAM & TOMMY' SOUNDTRACK”